Home / Editor's Pick /

Lowest temperature is just after sunrise

09:00
6 January 2023

Coldest time of the day
Lowest temperature is just after sunrise

setting-sun

Did you know that the coldest time of the day is normally about half an hour after sunrise?

That surprises a lot of people because it seems logical that the coldest time should be in the middle of the night. However, all through the night the ground is losing heat and the air is steadily getting colder.

Then the sun pops over the horizon, but its first rays are very weak. When the sun initially rises, there is still more heat being lost then is being received.

After about half an hour or so, the sun is strong enough to add a little warmth and the temperatures can start to rise.

Of course there are plenty of things which can cause the temperature to change during the day. Warm air can drift in from another area or rain can drag the temperature down.

However, if nothing else is affecting the weather, the coldest time of the day will be just after dawn.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
pinecones
Thursday, 11 December 2025

Winter helpers

How pine cones aid the weather forecast
Radar map showing widespread blue rain bands over the UK and Ireland with a triangular heavy-rain warning icon placed over central Britain.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025

Thursday rain

Incoming downpour prompts warnings
Shooting stars, part of the Geminid meteor shower.
Saturday, 13 December 2025

Spot a shooting star

King of meteor showers at its peak
All weather news
This might also interest you
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday, 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
Monday, 25 August 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Warm day turning gusty in places
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList